The only school in Tajikistan for Afghan refugee children has been left without a building and was forced to relocate to the Afghan Embassy in Tajikistan. Previously, "Asia-Plus" reported on this school, which lost its funding. Efforts to find sponsors or investors, as well as seeking support from the Tajik Ministry of Education, have been unsuccessful.
Najia Zaher, the school's director, officially requested assistance from the Ministry of Education through the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but was informed that they could not provide financial support or a separate building for the school. With around 400 Afghan children already attending Tajik educational institutions, the suggestion to integrate the school's students into local schools was not accepted.
Following the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan in 2021, the school lost its financial support. The U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan responded to a plea for help by providing $30,000 and transportation for the children. However, this support program was only intended for two years.
Apart from private individuals and the NGO "Kamarband va rokh" (where textbooks were printed), the school did not receive much support. By February of this year, the school's debt to the building owner, the company "Ravqani Tojik," had increased to $11,000, leading to the loss of their premises. As of February 14, the Afghan school has been situated in the embassy building.
